Patentable/Patents/US-9661359
US-9661359

Method of distributing sports entertainment

PublishedMay 23, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A method for distributing sports entertainment includes the step of providing a plurality of video cameras positioned on vehicles or athletes that are participating in sporting events, transmitters for transmitting information from the plurality of cameras to a processing station, retransmission equipment for directing the camera feed from each of the plurality of cameras to separate channels for distribution and remote viewing at viewers' locations, and channel selectors that permit viewers to select from among the various channels, thereby allowing the viewers to select from the plurality of camera feeds. The cameras are simultaneously operated during the sporting event so as to generate a plurality of camera feeds during the event, each feed reflecting the perspective of an individual participant. The plurality of feeds is received by the retransmission equipment and retransmitted to selectable channels, each channel being associated with a respective camera feed. A viewer is thus allowed to select from the plurality of channels to thus enable his or her viewing of the sports event through the perspective of the participant of greatest interest to the viewer.

Patent Claims
14 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A system for distributing, to at least one individual, audio information reflecting the perspective of one or more participants in a sporting event, the system comprising: a first device positioned on or adjacent to a first participant of the one or more participants in the sporting event and configured to generate a first audio signal reflecting the perspective of the first participant of the one or more participants during the sporting event; a first transmitter positioned on or adjacent to the first participant and configured to transmit the first audio signal generated by the first device during the sporting event; and receiving and retransmission equipment configured to receive the first audio signal transmitted from the first transmitter and receive a second audio signal transmitted from a second transmitter positioned on or adjacent to a second participant during the sporting event, the receiving and retransmission equipment being further configured to direct the first audio signal and the second audio signal to first and second respective channels of a distribution system during the sporting event, the distribution system enabling remote listening by the at least one individual on an electronic device; wherein the at least one individual is able to select from among the first channel and the second channel during the sporting event and thereby listen to the audio information of the one or more participants during the sporting event on the electronic device; and wherein the receiving equipment is configured to receive continuous audio signals from the first transmitter and second transmitters as well as from additional transmitters positioned on or adjacent to additional participants in the sporting event; and the audio signals available for listening are configured to change during the sporting event based on the level of interest in particular participants.

Plain English Translation

A system broadcasts audio from a sporting event, providing listeners with perspectives from participants. Microphones on or near athletes capture audio signals. Transmitters send these signals to receiving equipment, which then retransmits them to separate channels of a distribution system. Listeners can use an electronic device to select a channel and hear audio from a specific participant's perspective. The system receives continuous audio from multiple participants, dynamically changing the audio available based on listener interest in specific participants.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein: the audio signals available for listening are determined based on the actions of a plurality of listeners during the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system, described in the previous claim, selects which participants' audio to make available based on the actions of multiple listeners. Listener interest, as reflected by channel selection or other interactive feedback, determines which audio streams are prioritized and distributed, dynamically adapting to audience preferences during the sporting event.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein: the receiving equipment is further configured to receive additional information from the first and second transmitters, the additional information including video information reflecting images from the perspective of a respective participant in the sporting event; and the retransmission equipment is further configured to direct the received additional information to a respective one of the first and second channels of the distribution system during the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system, described previously, transmits both audio and video. Cameras on or near athletes capture video, and this video accompanies the audio signals from those athletes. The receiving and retransmission equipment directs both the audio and video from each participant to a separate channel, allowing listeners to select channels for both audio and visual perspectives of specific participants.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the distribution system is a television distribution system configured to permit the at least one individual to select from the first and second channels of the television distribution system during the sporting event, and thereby listen to the audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more respective participants on the electronic device.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system, described previously, utilizes a television broadcasting system. The television system allows viewers to select audio channels corresponding to different participants during the sporting event. This selection enables viewers to listen to the audio perspective of a specific athlete on their electronic device (such as the television itself or an associated device).

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the distribution system is the Internet, whereby the at least one individual is able to select from the first and second channels during the sporting event and thereby listen to the audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more respective participants on the electronic device.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system, described previously, uses the Internet as its distribution channel. This enables remote users to select between audio channels, each representing a different participant's perspective during the sporting event. The Internet connectivity allows the listener to use an electronic device (computer, tablet, phone) to listen to the audio information of the sporting event.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising adding advertising information to at least one of the first information and the second information regarding audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more participants, whereby the at least one individual listens to the advertising information along with the audio signals of the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system, described in the earlier claim, includes advertising. Advertisements are inserted into at least one audio channel of a given participant in the sporting event. Listeners hear advertising information alongside the audio signals reflecting the perspective of the participants.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the advertising information includes information about the sporting event or the one or more participants within the advertising information.

Plain English Translation

The audio distribution system with advertising, as described in the previous claim, includes information related to the sporting event or participants within the advertisements. The ads are contextualized with details relevant to the event and athletes, aiming to increase viewer engagement and relevance of the advertising.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A method for distributing, to at least one individual, audio information reflecting a perspective of one or more participants in a sporting event, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first audio signal generated by a first device positioned on or adjacent to a first participant of the one or more participants during the sporting event, the first audio signal reflecting the perspective of the first participant of the one or more participants; receiving a second audio signal generated by a second device positioned on or adjacent to a second participant of the one or more participants during the sporting event, the second audio signal reflecting the perspective of the second participant of the one or more participants; directing the first audio signal to a first channel of a distribution system and the second audio signal to a second channel of the distribution system during the sporting event; enabling at least one individual to select from the first and second channels during the sporting event and thereby listen to the audio information of the sporting event on an electronic device; and receiving continuous audio signals from additional devices positioned on or adjacent to additional participants in the sporting event; and wherein the audio signals available for listening are changed during the sporting event based on the level of interest in particular participants.

Plain English Translation

A method streams audio from a sporting event, providing listeners with participant perspectives. The system receives audio signals from microphones placed on or near athletes. These signals reflect the unique perspective of each athlete. The system directs each audio stream to a separate channel of a distribution system. Listeners can choose a channel to hear audio from a specific athlete, and the system continuously receives audio signals from multiple participants, dynamically adapting available audio based on listener interest.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The distribution system of claim 8 , wherein: the audio signals available for listening are determined based on the actions of a plurality of viewers during the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The method of distributing audio during a sporting event based on participant perspective, described previously, selects which participants' audio to make available based on the actions of a plurality of viewers during the sporting event. Listener interest determines which audio streams are prioritized and distributed, dynamically adapting to audience preferences.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: receiving additional information from the first and second devices, the additional information including video information reflecting images from the perspective of a respective participant in the sporting event; and directing the received additional information to a respective one of the first and second channels of the distribution system during the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The method of streaming audio, described in the previous claim, includes video. Video from cameras on or near the athletes accompanies the audio signals. The system directs both audio and video from each participant to separate channels, enabling listeners to choose channels for both audio and visual perspectives.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the distribution system is a television distribution system configured to permit the at least one individual to select from the first and second channels of the television distribution system during the sporting event, and thereby listen to the audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more respective participants on the electronic device.

Plain English Translation

The method of distributing audio, described previously, uses a television broadcasting system. Viewers select channels to hear the audio perspective of different athletes during the event. The television system permits the individual to listen to the audio signals on an electronic device.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the distribution system is the Internet, whereby the at least one individual is able to select from the first and second channels during the sporting event and thereby listen to the audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more respective participants on the electronic device.

Plain English Translation

The method of distributing audio, described earlier, uses the Internet. This enables listeners to select between audio channels representing different athlete perspectives, using an electronic device, such as a phone or computer, to listen to the audio information.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising adding advertising information to at least one of the first information and the second information regarding audio signals reflecting the perspective of the one or more participants, whereby the at least one individual listens to the advertising information along with the audio signals of the sporting event.

Plain English Translation

The method of distributing audio, described earlier, adds advertising. Advertisements are inserted into audio channels. Listeners hear advertisements alongside audio signals reflecting the perspectives of the participants.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the advertising information includes information about the sporting event or the one or more participants.

Plain English Translation

The method of distributing audio with advertising, as described in the previous claim, includes information related to the sporting event or its participants within the advertisements themselves.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

December 17, 2013

Publication Date

May 23, 2017

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